Power boost in communication system

ABSTRACT

Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide communication between networked nodes operating on a communication network medium. In an implementation, a node generates a broadcast frame that includes at least a preamble and a payload. The preamble of the broadcast frame may include auxiliary information. The auxiliary information may be associated with one or more symbols of the preamble. The auxiliary information may contain power boost information.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of International Application NumberPCT/EP2011/006221, which was filed on Dec. 9, 2011. The InternationalApplication claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/421,571,which was filed on Dec. 9, 2010. The priority of the two identifiedprior filed applications is hereby claimed. The entire contents of thetwo identified prior filed applications are hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND

Power boost may be used in communication systems to enhance thedetection of a packet by increasing a transmit power of certain symbols,such as the preamble and/or header, above the nominal transmit level ofthe payload.

Existing specifications, such as IEEE 1901, provide a power boostmechanism. However, the amount of power boost is fixed (e.g., 0.8 dB)and the applicable symbols are predefined (e.g., preamble and header).Because the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations vary fromregion to region, and the amount of optimal power boost may varydepending on the network size and traffic characteristics, requiringfixed power boost parameters may require communication systems tooperate inefficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items.

FIG. 1 is schematic of an example network or system in which thetechniques in accordance with the present disclosure may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a node implementedas part of the network of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an example communication block, according to animplementation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an example communication block, according to animplementation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a representative process for generating acommunication at a node that includes auxiliary information thatcontains power boost information.

FIG. 6 illustrates a representative process for generating acommunication at a node that includes one or more symbols power boostedin accordance with auxiliary information conveyed in a communication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Representative implementations of devices and techniques providecommunication between networked nodes operating on a communicationnetwork medium. In an implementation, a node generates a broadcast framethat includes at least a preamble and a payload. The preamble of thebroadcast frame may include auxiliary information. The auxiliaryinformation may be associated with one or more symbols of the preamble.The auxiliary information may contain power boost information. Thebroadcast frame may be sent to one or more nodes in a communicationnetwork. A node in the communication network may use the power boostinformation to change (e.g., increase) or set a power level associatedwith one or more symbols of a data frame for transmission on thecommunication network medium. The power boosted symbols of the dataframe may enable a receiving node to efficiently and successfully detectthe frame. Moreover, the use of such auxiliary information may enable anode to seamlessly function in regions that have varying symbol powerlevel regulations.

Various power boost implementations, including techniques and devices,are discussed with reference to the figures. The techniques and devicesdiscussed may be applied to any of various network designs, circuits,and devices and remain within the scope of the disclosure.

Implementations are explained in more detail below using a plurality ofexamples. Although various implementations and examples are discussedhere and below, further implementations and examples may be possible bycombining the features and elements of individual implementations andexamples.

Example Communication System

In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 1, a system 100 comprises acommunication network medium 102 shared by at least two nodes (e.g.,nodes 104, 106, and 108) coupled to the medium 102. The nodes 104-108are arranged to communicate at least in part via the medium 102. In oneimplementation, the system 100 is a multicarrier arrangement or system.In various alternate implementations, the system 100 based on thecommunication network medium 102 comprises a single communicationchannel and the nodes 104-108 represent discrete homogeneous networkscommunicatively coupled to the single communication channel.

The medium 102 may be comprised of a trunk or feeder 110 and one or morebranches 112. In one example, the system 100 is a power linecommunication (PLC) system. In that case, the trunk 110 and branches 112are electrical power distribution conductors (e.g., power lines)arranged to distribute electric power to one or more end user locations(e.g., within residences, commercial or professional suites, industrialsites, etc.). In the example, nodes 104-108 are coupled to the electricpower lines and arranged to communicate at least in part via theelectrical power lines. While the disclosure, including the figures andthe discussion herein, discuss the techniques and devices disclosed interms of a PLC system, the techniques and devices may be used forminimizing or eliminating neighbor network interference on other typesof networks (e.g., wired and/or wireless, optical, etc.) withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the medium 102may be realized as a wireless communication medium, a wire linecommunication medium (e.g., coaxial cable, twisted pair of copper wires,power line wiring, optical fiber, etc.), or as combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, nodes 104-108 may be coupled to the medium 102 viaone or more power outlets 114. For example, a node (104-108) may be“plugged in” to a wall socket (power outlet 114). Alternately, nodes104-108 may be hardwired to the medium 102, or may be coupled in anothermanner allowing communication via the medium 102 (e.g., inductivecoupling, optical coupling, wireless coupling, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1, nodes 104-108 may also have connection to and/orfrom user devices, service resources, and the like. For example, a node(104-108) may be communicatively coupled to a user communicationsdevice, an automation console, a surveillance hub, a power usagemonitoring and/or control interface, a service provider feed, a utilityconnection, and so forth. In one implementation, one or more of thenodes 104-108 is a controller node 106 (e.g., base station, master node,etc.) arranged to control communication of information with regard tothe network. For example, a controller node 106 may receive anentertainment feed from a service provider, and distribute content toother nodes on the network (such as nodes 104 and 108) as well asoptionally provide for content consumption at the controller node 106itself. In one case, the controller node 106 may control the type ofcontent that is distributed to the other nodes 104 and 108, control thebandwidth used by the other nodes 104 and 108, and/or provide othercontrol functions.

In one implementation, one or more of the nodes 104-108 may include amulticarrier apparatus, transmitter, receiver, transceiver, modem, orthe like, (generically referred to herein as a “transceiver 116”) forcommunication via the network. Accordingly, the nodes 104-108 mayinclude structure and functionality that enable signal communicationover the medium 102. Such structure and functionality may include one ormore antennas, integrated wire line interfaces, and the like. Dependingon the implementation, the nodes 104-108 may communicate with oneanother directly (peer-to-peer mode) or the nodes 104-108 maycommunicate via the controller node 106. In one implementation, thenodes 104-108 are Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)apparatuses capable of implementing the herein describedimplementations. For example, the nodes 104-108 may include atransceiver and/or a controller, as is discussed below.

In one implementation, system 100 may be a home network and one or moreof the nodes 104-108 may be an access point of the home network. Forexample, in the implementation the controller node 106 may be aresidential gateway that distributes broadband services to the othernodes (e.g., nodes 104 and 108). The nodes 104-108 may be associatedwith digital content destinations in the home, but may also beassociated with digital content sources, such as digital video recorders(DVR), computers providing streaming video, televisions, entertainmentcenters, and the like.

Furthermore, the nodes 104-108 may be enabled to communicate usingpacket-based technology (e.g., ITU G.hn, HomePNA, HomePlug® AV andMultimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)) and xDSL technology). Such xDSLtechnology may include Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), ADSL2,ADSL2+, Very high speed DSL (VDSL), VDSL2, G.Lite, and High bit rateDigital Subscriber Line (HDSL). In addition, the nodes 104-108 may beenabled to communicate using IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)wireless technologies.

In the example of FIG. 1, each of the nodes is shown having atransceiver 116. An example transceiver 116 is illustrated in FIG. 2.The transceiver 116 may include a transmitter portion 202 and/or areceiver portion 204, where one or both of the portions may include acontroller 206 and/or memory 208. In various implementations, a singlecontroller 206 may be shared by the transmitter 202 and the receiver204. Likewise, in some implementations, a single memory 208 may beshared by the transmitter 202 and the receiver 204, or alternately thememory 208 may be comprised of multiple memory devices distributed inone or more of the transceiver 116, the transmitter 202, and thereceiver 204.

As used herein, the term “controller 206” is meant generally to includeall types of digital processing devices including, without limitation,digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computers(RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays(e.g., FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), reconfigurable computefabrics (RCFs), array processors, secure microprocessors, andapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digitalprocessors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributedacross multiple components. If included, the controller 206 may directthe flow of information through the transceiver 116, may provide timingto the components of the transceiver 116, may determine MAC cyclesynchronization or alignment as discussed below, and the like.

If included, the memory 208 may store executable instructions, software,firmware, operating systems, applications, preselected values andconstants, and the like, to be executed or used by the controller 206,for example. In various implementations, the memory 208 may includecomputer-readable media. Computer-readable media may include, forexample, computer storage media. Computer storage media, such as memory208, includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modulesor other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be usedto store information for access by a computing device (such as thecontroller 206). Although the computer storage media (memory 208) isshown within the transceiver 116 it will be appreciated that the memory208 may be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network orother communication link.

As shown in FIG. 2, an example transmitter 202 may include an encoder210, a modulator 212, a filter 216, and an interface 214. In alternateimplementations, a transmitter 202 may include fewer components,alternate components, or additional components and remain within thescope of the disclosure.

In an implementation, signals exchanged between the nodes 104-108 mayinclude multicarrier symbols that each includes a plurality of tones orsub-channels. Each of the tones within a multicarrier symbol may havedata bits modulated thereon that are intended for delivery from one ofthe nodes 104-108 to another. In an implementation, the transmitter 202is arranged to modulate the data bits onto the tones and transmit thesignals including the tones via the medium 102.

If included, the encoder 210 is arranged to receive data (e.g., from auser device) for communication to a receiving device coupled to thetransceiver 116 via a wireless or wire line medium 102. Morespecifically, the encoder 210 is arranged to translate incoming data bitstreams into in-phase and quadrature components for the plurality oftones. The encoder 210 may be arranged to output a number of symbolsequences that are equal to the number of tones available to the system100.

If included, the modulator 212 is arranged to receive symbol sequences(e.g., from the encoder 210) to produce a modulated signal in the formof a discrete multi-tone signal. The modulator may pass the modulatedsignal to the filter 214 (if the filter is included) to undergo variousfiltering. In one implementation, the filtered signal is passed to theinterface 216 for communication over the medium 102 to a receivingdevice. For example, the interface 216 may facilitate communication ofthe modulated signal to a network resource such as an automation controlcenter, a surveillance hub, and the like.

In various implementations, the transceiver 116 may also include areceiver 204 that is capable of receiving modulated multi-tone signalscommunicated over the medium 102 from a transmitting device. As shown inFIG. 2, an example receiver 204 may include an interface 218, a filter220, a demodulator 222, and a decoder 224. In alternate implementations,a receiver 204 may include fewer components, alternate components, oradditional components and remain within the scope of the disclosure.

In one implementation, signals received by the receiver 204 may bepassed to the filter 220 via the interface 218. The interface 218 mayfacilitate communication with a network resource, for example. Afterreceived signals undergo filtering by way of the filter 220 (ifincluded), the filtered signals may be demodulated by the demodulator222. The demodulated signals may be passed to and processed by thedecoder 224.

If included, the decoder 224 produces data bit streams for consumptionby a computing device, or the like. Effectively, the demodulator 222 andthe decoder 224 perform the opposite functions of the modulator 212 andthe encoder 210, respectively.

In various implementations, one or more of the controller 206, encoder210, decoder 224, modulator 212, demodulator 222, interface 216 and/or218, filter 214 and/or 220, as well other components, may be implementedin hardware, firmware, software, or the like, or in combinationsthereof.

Exemplary implementations discussed herein may have various componentscollocated; however, it is to be appreciated that the various componentsof the system 100 may be located at distant portions of a distributednetwork, such as a communications network and/or the Internet, or withina dedicated secure, unsecured and/or encrypted arrangement. Thus, itshould be appreciated that the components of the system 100 may becombined into one or more apparatuses, such as a modem, or collocated ona particular node of a distributed network, such as a telecommunicationsnetwork. Moreover, it should be understood that the components of thedescribed system 100 may be arranged at any location within adistributed network without affecting the operation of the system 100.For example, the various components can be located in a Central Officemodem (CO, ATU-C, VTU-O), a Customer Premises modem (CPE, ATU-R, VTU-R),an xDSL management device, or some combination thereof. Similarly, oneor more functional portions of the system 100 may be distributed betweena modem and an associated computing device.

Example Power Boost Operations

Successful communications in communication networks (e.g., ITU-TG.9960/G.9961, IEEE 1901 FFT, IEEE 1901 Wavelet, etc.) using acommunication medium (such as medium 102, for example) generallyrequires the detection of communicated packets of information.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an example communication 300, according to animplementation. In the implementation, a node 104-108 or a neighbor nodeor network may periodically transmit a communication 300 as part of itsoperation, to inform other nodes or networks, among other things, of thenode's timing information and/or synchronization. For example, acontroller 206 at a node 104-108 may execute instructions stored in amemory 208 at the node 104-108 to generate and/or transmit thecommunication 300 via the medium 102. In one implementation, thecommunication 300 is a mobile applications protocol (MAP) physical layer(PHY) frame communication. Similarly, a controller 206 at a node 104-108may execute instructions stored in a memory 208 at the node 104-108 toreceive and/or decode the communication 300 transmitted on the medium102.

In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication 300includes a preamble/header portion 302 and a body portion 304. Althoughthe preamble/header portion 302 is shown as being contiguous, it is alsocontemplated that the preamble and header may be two separate anddistinct elements of the communication 300. The preamble/header portion302 serves at least to alert all nodes to receive the communication 300that the communication 300 is arriving on the medium 102. Thepreamble/header portion 302 may include a known sequence of 1's and 0'sthat allows time for one or more of the nodes 104-108 to detect thecommunication 300 and enter a state to receive data. The preamble/headerportion 302 may also convey the length (in psec) of the body portion304, or the length individual payload sections of the body portion 304.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the preamble/header portion 302 may be definedby S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols. A plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 .. . Sn symbols may be used for packet detection, timing estimation andframe synchronization, another one or more of the plurality of the S1,S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey the length of the bodyportion 304, and another one or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3,S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey auxiliary information.

In one implementation, the auxiliary information may include a boostpower reference or indicator (e.g., in dB). The boost power referenceindicates to a node 104-108 that symbols of a communication (e.g., dataframe) generated thereby may be boosted to the boost power referenceprovided in the auxiliary information portion of the communication 300(e.g., a MAP PHY frame/broadcast frame). The plurality of the S1, S2,S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols that may be used to convey auxiliary informationmay also indicate which portions of a communication (e.g., preamble andheader) may be power boosted using the power boost reference provided inthe communication 300.

In one implementation, the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Snsymbols that may be used to convey auxiliary information may be used toconvey further auxiliary information defining one or more rules forpower boosting particular symbols of a data frame. For example, the oneor more rules may indicate that one or more symbols associated with apayload may be power boosted to the provided power boost reference.Also, the one or more rules may indicate that symbols of apreamble/header may be power boosted to the provided power boostreference if a length of an associated frame exceeds a given orpredetermined length.

By decoding the communication 300 (e.g., a MAP PHY frame), a node104-108 can determine which portions of a communication (e.g., preambleand header) may be power boosted according to the parameter(s) of thepower boost reference provided in the communication 300. Using thisinformation, one or more of the nodes 104-108, when generating a dataframe, may power boost one or more symbols.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an example communication 400, according to animplementation. In one implementation, the communication 400 includes apreamble/header portion 402 and a body portion 404. Although thepreamble/header portion 402 is shown as being contiguous, it is alsocontemplated that the preamble and header may be two separate anddistinct elements of the communication 400. The preamble/header portion402 serves at least to alert all nodes 104-108 to receive thecommunication 400 that the communication 400 is arriving on the medium102. The preamble/header portion 402 may include a known sequence of 1'sand 0's that allows time for the nodes to detect the communication 300and enter a state to receive data. The preamble/header portion 402 mayalso convey the length (in psec) of the body portion 404, or the lengthindividual payload sections of the body portion 404.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the preamble/header portion 402 may be definedby S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols. A plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 .. . Sn symbols may be used for packet detection, timing estimation andframe synchronization, another one or more of the plurality of the S1,S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey the length of the bodyportion 404, and another one or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3,S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey auxiliary information. In thisexample, the group of symbols S1-S3, shown by reference numeral 408,have been power boosted. In one implementation, the group of symbolsS1-S3 408 is power boosted in accordance with auxiliary informationreceived in a broadcast message or MAP PHY frame transmitted by a node(e.g., a master node). The power boosted group of symbols S1-S3 408 mayenable a receiving node to quickly and efficiently detect thecommunication 400.

In alternate implementations, one or more of the above techniques may beemployed concurrently, or another technique may be used to accomplishthe same or similar results. The implementations herein are described interms of exemplary embodiments. However, it should be appreciated thatindividual aspects of the implantations may be separately claimed andone or more of the features of the various embodiments may be combined.

Representative Processes

FIG. 5 illustrates a representative process 500 for generating acommunication (e.g., communication 300) at a node (e.g., nodes 104-108)that includes auxiliary information that contains power boostinformation. The described techniques may also be used with domains,networks, and the like. An example process 500 may be performed on asystem 100, for example, where a common network communication medium 102is shared. However, other communication media may also be used with therepresentative process 500. In one example, the communication networkmedium 102 comprises a single communication channel and at least twonodes (such as one or more of the nodes 104-108) representing discretehomogeneous networks are communicatively coupled to the singlecommunication channel. The process 500 is described with reference toFIGS. 1-4.

At block 502, a node (such as nodes 104-108) determines that a broadcastmessage is to be transmitted. The determination to transmit a broadcastmessage may be based on a plurality of factors. Typical factors mayinclude facilitating discovery, initiating network maintenance,providing route discovery, conveying information, etc. In one example,the broadcast message may be a communication 300. In one implementation,the broadcast message is a mobile application protocol (MAP) physicallayer (PHY) frame.

At block 504, the node generates the broadcast message. The broadcastmessage includes a preamble/header portion and a body portion. Thepreamble/header portion may be defined by S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Snsymbols. A plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be usedfor packet detection, timing estimation and frame synchronization,another one or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Snsymbols may be used to convey the length of the body portion, andanother one or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Snsymbols may be used to convey auxiliary information. In oneimplementation, the auxiliary information may include a boost powerreference or indicator (e.g., in dB). The boost power referenceindicates to a node that symbols of a communication (e.g., data frame)generated thereby may be boosted to the boost power reference providedin the auxiliary information portion of the broadcast message. Theplurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols that may be used toconvey auxiliary information may also indicate which portions of acommunication (e.g., preamble and header) may be power boosted using thepower boost reference provided in the broadcast message.

In one implementation, the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Snsymbols that may be used to convey auxiliary information may be used toconvey further auxiliary information defining one or more rules forpower boosting particular symbols of a data frame. For example, the oneor more rules may indicate that one or more symbols associated with apayload may be power boosted to the provided power boost reference.Also, the one or more rules may indicate that symbols of apreamble/header may be power boosted to the provided power boostreference if a length of an associated frame exceeds a given orpredetermined length.

At block 506, the broadcast message is transmitted by the node on thecommunication medium. In one implementation, the broadcast message istransmitted on the communication medium for reception by one or morenodes that are associated with the communication medium. In anotherimplementation, the broadcast message is transmitted to one or moreparticular nodes.

FIG. 6 illustrates a representative process 600 for generating acommunication (e.g., communication 400) at a node (e.g., nodes 104-108)that includes one or more symbols power boosted in accordance withauxiliary information conveyed in a communication (e.g., communication300). The described techniques may also be used with domains, networks,and the like. An example process 600 may be performed on a system 100,for example, where a common network communication medium 102 is shared.However, other communication media may also be used with therepresentative process 600. In one example, the communication networkmedium 102 comprises a single communication channel and at least twonodes (such as one or more of the nodes 104-108) representing discretehomogeneous networks are communicatively coupled to the singlecommunication channel. The process 600 is described with reference toFIGS. 1-5.

At block 602, a communication (e.g., communication 300) is received at anode (e.g., nodes 104-108). The communication includes a preamble/headerportion and a body portion. The preamble/header portion may be definedby S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols. A plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 .. . Sn symbols may be used for packet detection, timing estimation andframe synchronization, another one or more of the plurality of the S1,S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey the length of the bodyportion, and another one or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4. . . Sn symbols may be used to convey auxiliary information. In oneimplementation, the auxiliary information includes a boost powerreference or indicator (e.g., in dB). The boost power referenceindicates to a node that symbols of a communication (e.g., data frame)generated thereby may be boosted to the boost power reference providedin the auxiliary information portion of the broadcast message. Theplurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols that may be used toconvey auxiliary information may also indicate which portions of acommunication (e.g., preamble and/or header) may be power boosted usingthe power boost reference provided in the broadcast message.

In one implementation, the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Snsymbols that may be used to convey auxiliary information may be used toconvey further auxiliary information defining one or more rules forpower boosting particular symbols of a data frame. For example, the oneor more rules may indicate that one or more symbols associated with apayload may be power boosted to the provided power boost reference.Also, the one or more rules may indicate that symbols of apreamble/header may be power boosted to the provided power boostreference if a length of an associated frame exceeds a given orpredetermined length.

At block 604, the node receiving the communication evaluates at leastthe preamble/header portion of the communication to determine thatauxiliary information is associated with one or more symbols of thepreamble/header portion of the communication.

At block 606, the node receiving the communication generates acommunication (e.g., communication 400) that includes one or moresymbols power boosted in accordance with the auxiliary informationcontained in the communication received at block 602. In oneimplementation, the generated communication includes one or more symbolsof the preamble power boosted. In another implementation, the generatedcommunication includes one or more symbols of the header power boosted.In yet another implementation, the generated communication includes oneor more symbols of the preamble and header power boosted. In yet anotherimplementation, the node generates a communication with one or moresymbols power boosted based on one or more rules set forth in theauxiliary information contained in the communication received at block602.

At block 608, the process includes transmitting a communication (such ascommunication 400) including one or more power boosted symbols.

The order in which the processes 500 and 600 are described is notintended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of thedescribed process blocks can be combined in any order to implement theprocesses, or alternate processes. Additionally, individual blocks maybe deleted from the processes without departing from the spirit andscope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the processescan be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or acombination thereof, without departing from the scope of the subjectmatter described herein.

In alternate implementations, other techniques may be included in theprocesses 500 and 600 in various combinations, and remain within thescope of the disclosure.

The above-described arrangements, apparatuses and methods may beimplemented in a software module, a software and/or hardware testingmodule, a telecommunications test device, a DSL modem, an ADSL modem, anxDSL modem, a VDSL modem, a linecard, a G.hn transceiver, a MOCAtransceiver, a Homeplug transceiver, a powerline modem, a wired orwireless modem, test equipment, a multicarrier transceiver, a wiredand/or wireless wide/local area network system, a satellitecommunication system, network-based communication systems, such as anIP, Ethernet or ATM system, a modem equipped with diagnosticcapabilities, or the like, or on a separate programmed general purposecomputer having a communications device or in conjunction with any ofthe following communications protocols: CDSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, VDSL1,VDSL2, HDSL, DSL Lite, IDSL, RADSL, SDSL, UDSL, MOCA, G.hn, Homeplug orthe like.

Additionally, the arrangements, procedures and protocols of thedescribed implementations may be implemented on a special purposecomputer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheralintegrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, adigital signal processor, a flashable device, a hard-wired electronic orlogic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a programmable logicdevice such as PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, a modem, a transmitter/receiver, anycomparable device, or the like. In general, any apparatus capable ofimplementing a state machine that is in turn capable of implementing themethodology described and illustrated herein may be used to implementthe various communication methods, protocols and techniques according tothe implementations.

Furthermore, the disclosed procedures may be readily implemented insoftware using object or object-oriented software developmentenvironments that provide portable source code that can be used on avariety of computer or workstation platforms. Alternatively, thedisclosed arrangements may be implemented partially or fully in hardwareusing standard logic circuits or VLSI design. The communicationarrangements, procedures and protocols described and illustrated hereinmay be readily implemented in hardware and/or software using any knownor later developed systems or structures, devices and/or software bythose of ordinary skill in the applicable art from the functionaldescription provided herein and with a general basic knowledge of thecomputer and telecommunications arts.

Moreover, the disclosed procedures may be readily implemented insoftware that can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (suchas memory 208), executed on programmed general-purpose computer with thecooperation of a controller (such as controller 206) and memory 208, aspecial purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like. In theseinstances, the arrangements and procedures of the describedimplementations may be implemented as program embedded on personalcomputer such as an applet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residingon a server or computer workstation, as a routine embedded in adedicated communication arrangement or arrangement component, or thelike. The arrangements may also be implemented by physicallyincorporating the arrangements and/or procedures into a software and/orhardware system, such as the hardware and software systems of atest/modeling device.

Conclusion

Although the implementations of the disclosure have been described inlanguage specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, itis to be understood that the implementations are not necessarily limitedto the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specificfeatures and acts are disclosed as representative forms of implementingthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: decoding, at a node, amobile application protocol (MAP) physical layer (PHY) frame, the MAPPHY frame including one or more symbols carrying auxiliary informationthat includes power boost information; generating a data frame, the dataframe including one or more symbols at a power level in accordance withthe power boost information of the auxiliary information; andtransmitting the data frame.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theauxiliary information further includes one or more rules defining usageof the power boost information.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein theone or more rules indicates that one or more symbols is to be powerboosted if a frame length is equal or greater than a frame length valuedefined in the one or more rules.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theone or more symbols at the power level in accordance with the powerboost information of the auxiliary information are at least associatedwith a preamble of the data frame.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theone or more symbols at the power level in accordance with the powerboost information of the auxiliary information are at least associatedwith a header of the data frame.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theone or more symbols at the power level in accordance with the powerboost information of the auxiliary information are at least associatedwith a preamble and a header of the data frame.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the act of generating the data frame includes power boostingthe one or more symbols from a first power level to second power levelbased on the power boost information of the auxiliary information.
 8. Asystem, comprising: a communication network medium; and at least onenode coupled to the medium, the node arranged to communicate, at leastin part via the medium, a frame that includes power boost information.9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication network mediumcomprises a network of electrical power distribution conductors.
 10. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the power boost information includes a powerboost value in decibel (dB).
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein theframe comprises at least a preamble portion, the preamble portion tocarry the power boost information.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereinone or more symbols of the preamble portion carry the power boostinformation.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the frame comprises atleast a header portion, the preamble portion to carry the power boostinformation.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein one or more symbols ofthe header portion carry the power boost information.
 15. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the frame is a broadcast message, the broadcast messagefor transmission to a plurality of nodes coupled to the communicationnetwork medium.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the broadcastmessage is a mobile applications protocol (MAP) physical layer (PHY)frame communication.
 17. A node, comprising: a controller; and a storagememory coupled to the controller and including instructions to generateat least one communication for communication on a communication mediumwhen executed by the controller, the at least one communication toinclude: a first portion to carry auxiliary information, the auxiliaryinformation including at least power boost information, and a secondportion to carry payload data.
 18. The node of claim 17, wherein theauxiliary information further includes at least one rule defining usageof the power boost information.
 19. The node of claim 18, wherein the atleast one rule indicates that the power boost information is to be usedto change a power level of one or more symbols in a communication fortransmission on the communication medium.
 20. The node of claim 17,wherein the power boost information is a decibel value.